The Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy

Foot traffic down 9% at American Eagle after Sydney Sweeney ad

Sydney Sweeney recently became the face of American Eagle, starring in a commercial that has since become the talk of the town. In the ad, she delivered a soft-spoken monologue about “genes” being passed down from parents, with a play on words linking genetics and denim—’genes’ vs. ‘jeans.’ While it may have seemed harmless at first, the ad quickly sparked outrage. Many viewers accused Sweeney of promoting eugenics, white supremacy, and exclusionary ideals. The backlash was swift and severe, with thousands calling out the tone-deaf nature of the ad, especially considering Sweeney’s history of political controversies and ties to conservative circles. People were appalled, not just by the ad, but by the fact that nobody on her team spoke out before the campaign went live.

American Eagle’s Role in the Scandal
Things only got worse when Ashley Shapiro, Vice President of Marketing at American Eagle, revealed a little too much about the making of the ad. In an interview, she stated that during a Zoom call with Sweeney, they asked her how far she wanted to push the campaign, to which Sweeney responded with a smirk, “Let’s push it.” Many now see this as an intentional move to make a controversial ad for the sake of buzz, without thinking through the potential consequences. Critics compared the ad to vintage Calvin Klein commercials, which used similar pseudoscientific language that many now deem cryptofascist. Sweeney, however, hasn’t publicly responded to the backlash, making it even more unclear whether she truly understood the implications of her campaign.

Enter Doja Cat’s Controversial Response


As if things weren’t already messy, Doja Cat decided to weigh in on the controversy. In a viral TikTok video, Doja mocked Sydney’s American Eagle campaign, mimicking her soft-spoken monologue but delivering it with exaggerated, over-the-top Southern accents and an intentionally goofy tone. While some fans applauded Doja for adding humor to the situation, many felt uncomfortable with her attempt to capitalize on a moment of backlash for the sake of clout.

It wasn’t just the mockery that raised eyebrows, but the backlash that followed. Many users were quick to point out that Doja, of all people, may not be the best person to be criticizing Sweeney. The internet hasn’t forgotten about Doja’s own controversial past, and now, her critics are dragging her for hypocrisy. People began to recall her previous involvement in white supremacist chat rooms, where she was accused of making highly questionable jokes and even associating with racist communities.

Doja Cat’s Dark Past Resurfaces
In 2020, Doja Cat faced massive backlash after her interactions with white supremacist chat rooms and forums came to light. Screenshots and videos appeared of Doja engaging in conversations filled with racist, sexist, and offensive content. Although she denied being an active member of any hate-driven groups, the damage was done. Fans and critics alike called out her failure to directly condemn the comments or distance herself from the toxic environment she seemed to be involved in.

Many saw her mocking Sydney Sweeney as an attempt to deflect attention from her own problematic past. How could Doja, a woman who had been involved in those racist and hate-filled spaces, be the one to call out someone for a poorly received ad? People were quick to point out that Doja was merely trying to stay relevant by jumping on a viral bandwagon, without acknowledging her own deeply troubling past.

The Hypocrisy That Can’t Be Ignored
The backlash against Doja was not just about her past, but about the hypocrisy many felt she exhibited in the way she approached Sydney Sweeney’s ad. As one critic put it, “You were once in those very chat rooms, laughing at racist jokes. And now, you think you have the moral high ground to attack someone else? Please.” The internet was quick to remind Doja of her own questionable associations, which made her commentary on Sweeney feel not just ironic, but hypocritical.

Doja Cat’s attempt to capitalize on Sydney Sweeney’s controversy backfired, but the deeper issue lies in her failure to acknowledge her own misdeeds. Critics argue that she’s more concerned with staying in the limelight and riding the coattails of viral moments than confronting the very real consequences of her past behavior.

The Public’s Reaction: Clout-Chasing or Justice?
It’s clear that Doja Cat’s move to mock Sweeney’s campaign wasn’t well-received by many, but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, the TikTok video itself was met with laughs and some applause, but it was the underlying hypocrisy that turned people against her. While she might have thought she was making a clever comment on the absurdity of the ad, what she actually did was remind people of her own deeply problematic history. In a world where cancel culture often leads to swift consequences, Doja Cat may have just created a bigger problem for herself.

As the internet continues to dissect the video and her past, it’s clear that Doja’s attempt to hop on the viral moment was more about clout-chasing than any genuine moral stance. Her critics have grown tired of her “trend-chasing” behavior and are calling her out for using her platform to distract from her own controversies. For Doja, this could very well be the moment where her past mistakes catch up with her in a way she didn’t expect.

What’s Next for Doja Cat?
As the backlash grows, it remains to be seen how Doja Cat will handle the situation. Will she acknowledge her past and take responsibility for her actions, or will she continue to deflect and mock others to keep herself relevant? If she’s smart, she’ll use this moment as an opportunity to show growth and maturity, but only time will tell if she can reclaim her narrative.

For now, Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad may have started a small storm, but Doja Cat’s attempt to mock it has set off an entirely new wildfire. As the internet continues to drag her, it’s hard not to wonder: Will this be the moment that Doja’s own past truly catches up with her, or will she be able to dance her way out of this mess once again?

Stay tuned. The drama is just getting started.